RangerPooh,
There is some misinformation in this thread-let me try to set the record straight. A little back ground on me is that I actually live and work in Yellowstone for a Park concessioner. If I don't know the answer to your question then I probably know exactly where to go to get you the information.
The Park is not really open during that time of year. In fact, the Mammoth Hotel will be closing on March 2, and re-opening probably sometime in early May for the Summer Season. The only other lodging open in the park during the Winter is the Old Faithful Snow Lodge which closes on March 9, and you would have to book a snowcoach to get to that location.
I would advise going early in the Summer season, and/or just after Roosevelt Lodge opens. During the peak of Summer Season there are tons of motorists on the road-not to mention the monster RVs that crowd the roads *roll eyes*. During the early and late parts of the season traffic diminishes drastically. Roosevelt's
Old West Cookout is the most popular activity in the park, for good reason. I've been to the Cookout twice (and was actually PAID for going
) and had a really great experience both times. That activitiy is definately worth the price.
The lodging concessioner is
Xanterra Park and Resorts and their website for Y'stone can be found
here. Please be aware that lodging inside the Park is a very different experience than outside the Park. IMO, and to be very frank with you, the lodging inside the Park is not comparable to lodging just outside the Park in
West Yellowstone or
Gardiner. The Park hotels have very few modern amenities that travelers can enjoy. The two advantages that I can think of is that the Park hotels are closer to the attractions (Old Faithful, Grand Canyon, Y'stone Lake, etc.) and some are much more historic such as the Mammoth Hotel, Old Faithful Inn, and the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. You save yourself a headache from driving hours to get to an attraction and then back to the hotel outside the park and save on gas money.
Another option is that if you are a camper then we have several NPS campgrounds that are available on a first-come first-serve basis (yes, campers can pay for showers at some Park hotels). Xanterra also operates four reservable campgrounds and operates one reservable RV park with full hook-ups (which is solely for hard-sided campers and RVs).
There are also programs that your family might be interested in with the
Y'stone Association. The official NPS site for Y'stone can be found
here-highly informative.
I have to mention some other area attractions that you might be interested in your visit to Y'stone.
Grizzly Wolf and Discovery Center-very popular center in West Yellowstone, Montana. There is also an
IMAX theater featuring films about bears, Lewis and Clark, and of course Y'stone. The
Playmill Theater, also in West, is a real treat for families. My hubby and I go every summer to at least one play.
In Cody, Wyoming there is the
Buffalo Bill Historical Center-five museums in one~very educational and fun museum.
Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa is just 45 minutes north of Gardiner, Montana. Many guests staying at this resort often visit Y'stone. The Resort has a very good fancy (and expensive) dining room, an inexpensive poolside grill, wonderful hot spring pools, and live music in the Saloon on weekends.
Also, pay a visit to Y'stone's sister park to the south-the
Grand Tetons-it's only a 45 minute drive from Grant Village.